VV5 suggestion: More sophisticated window docking

RichMacDonald wrote on 1/18/2004, 9:05 AM
I recently switched to a dual monitor system and ran into some limitations with the Vegas layout possibilities. Basically, I started with the normal window maxed out on one monitor, then peeled off the preview window to the 2nd monitor, expanding it to 720x480. I still had room on the 2nd monitor, so I peeled off some more windows. Now I only had my explorer window on the bottom of the 1st monitor, along with the tracks. Then I had the idea of peeling off the explorer window as well, leaving just the tracks window on the 1st monitor. But I could not fit the explorer window on the 2nd monitor without overlapping an existing window. And I could not stack windows on the 2nd monitor.

The problem is that peeled off windows cannot be docked/stacked. You can only dock/stack to the main window.

Ideally, you should be able to dock a peeled-window onto another peeled-window and have them switch to stacked mode.

Another way to organize a two-monitor setup is to maximize the Vegas window across both monitors, then peel off windows and overlay them on top of the main window. But I don't like this approach since the timeline is essentially locked and you can't help hiding some of it behind another window. And I just don't need timeline horizontally across two windows; its un-needed and inefficient mousing.

Hope I'm making myself clear. I love the current window docking capabilities of Vegas: Some good programmer TLC went into making it. Now if we could make independent windows do the same thing, it'd be perfect.

Unless I missed something obvious. Perhaps a discussion of the various ways people have laid out their two-monitor systems would be fruitful. This topic has been covered before (http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=161766), and I can see the same issues there.

Comments

Randy Brown wrote on 1/18/2004, 9:25 AM
I put my media pool, master volume slider, edit details and explorer all on my 2nd monitor (a 14" LCD). I overlap them all and leave just a "smidgeon" of each window exposed so that when I click on that smidgeon it becomes almost maximized. Almost the same as clicking on tabs if the were layered. Try it and see what you think.
Randy
GaryKleiner wrote on 1/20/2004, 9:03 AM
Rich, windows docking to other windows WOULD be neat.

However, I like my workspace uncluttered. I just F11 the bottom windows on and off, I am not using them 90% of the time.

Gary
HPV wrote on 1/20/2004, 10:04 AM
I like your idea Rich. Something that might help you now is "automatically hide docking area" in the prefs/general panel. Really nice feature.

Craig H.